Automatic fire-extinguisher.



J. L. JOHNSON 5: G. L. SAUNDERS.

AUTOMATIC FIRE EXIINGUISHER.

APPLICATION FILED DEG/7,1911. RENEWED APR. 30. 1914.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

' OFFICE.

JOHN LINDQEY JOHNSON,

OF HOME, AND CHARLES L. SAUNDERS, OF CABTERSVILLE,

GEORGIA.

AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 7, 1911. Serial No. 664,528. Renewed April80, 1914. Serial No. 835,488.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that wefJorm Lmosnr Jomw SON andCHARLES L. SAUNDERS, citizens of the United States, residing at Rome,county of Floyd, State of Georgia, and Cartersville, in the county ofBart-ow and State of Georgia, res ectively, have invented certain 1@bottle containing sulfuric acid which is spilled when the tank isinverted whereby a gas is generated which produces a pressurein the tankand forces the water of the solution out of the tank and throws it onthe fire. The tank is held in upright position by a fusible link, whichlatter, when it melts, permits the tank to tilt. I

It is the object of the present invention to provide an alarm devicewhich is sounded when the tank tilts. This alarm device is an electricbell, the circuit of which is automatically closed when the tank tilts.

The invention also. has for its object to provide a novel means forholding the tank slightly off the perpendicular so that it is certain totilt when the fusible link melts.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, Figurel is a side elevation, partly broken away, showing the invention; Fig. 2is a rear elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the switchin detail, and Fig. 4 is aperspective view showing a slight modificationof the tank suport.

p Referring specifically to the drawing, 5 denotes the tank of theextinguisher, the top thereof being provided with a suitable dischargenozzle 6. To the body of the tank, at diametrically opposite points, andbelow the center of gravity of the tank, are secured trunnions 7, one ofwhich latter has a crank arm 8 which is for a purpose to be presentlydescribed. .The tank is held suspended in a frame 9 which is secured tothe ceiling 10 or some other overhead support. The frame has two spacedbranches 11 between which the tank is mounted so as to be free to swingwhen it is released. The lower ends of the branches 9 engage thetrunnions 7, a pivotal connection being provided.

To the support 10 is secured by means of a clip 13, a spring wire 14 oneend of which loosely abuts against the nozzle 6 and holds the tankslightly off the perpendicular. The other end of the wire has a hook 15which is engaged by a fusible link 16 connected to a hook 17 on thenozzle (3. This link holds the tank in upright position, and when fused,the tank automatically tilts and is inverted, this action being assuredby reason of the fact that the tank is unbalanced and also oil theperpendicular.

At 18 is indicated a bell or other electric signal device which iscontrolled by a switch carried byone of the branches 11. The switchcomprises a suitable base '19 on which are mounted two tongues 20 towhich the circuit wires 21 are connected. To the base, between thetongues, is pivoted a lever 22, which, when it bridges the springs,closes the circuit so that the alarm will be sounded. The switch has asuitable cover 23 from which one end of the lever 22 extends. The arm 8is so located that it is in contact with one side of the projecting endof the lever 22. Normally, the lever lies between the tongues 20, out ofcontact therewith. When the tank 5 tilts, the arm 8 swings around andmoves the lever 22 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1. In thisposition the switch tongues are connected by the lever and the circuitof the signal device 18 is closed and thus sounded. It will therefore beevident that an alarm is automatically given when the tank tilts. Thetrunnions are made fast to the tank and turn therewith when it tilts.

Fig. 4 shows a slight modification of the tank support, the samecomprising a yoke between the branches 24 of which the tank is pivotallyhung by means of the trunnions. The switch is carried by one of the yokebranches. To the top of the yoke is connected a hook 25 whereby theapparatus may be suspended from the ceiling or some other support. Thetop of the yoke also carries the wire 14.

We claim:

1. In a fire-extinguisher, a tiltable receptacle, a fusible retainingdevice therefor, a support for the receptacle, trunnions on thereceptacle and engageable with said support, one of said trunnionshaving a crankarm, an electric signal device, a switch controlling saiddevice carried by the support,

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

and a pivoted switch-actuating member in the path of the crank-arm and.engageeble thereby when the receptacle tilts.

2. lln a fire-extinguisher, a receptacle, it supp rt in which saidreceptacle is pivotally mounted, a wirefastened to the support andhaving one of its ends loosely abutting egalnet the top of thereceptacle for hololing the same ofl the perpendicular and. a fusibleconnection between the other end of the 10 Wire and the tank.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signw tures in presence of twowitnesses.

JUHN LINDSEY JUHNSQN. CHARLES L. SAUNDERS. W tnesses JOHN L. HARRIS, "W.REX MANNING.

